Kildare's Mia Doherty credits underage system for county's success

Michael Bolton

Kildare ladies footballer Mia Doherty has credited the county’s underage system as a key factor in their success in recent years.

Doherty has been part of the Kildare side that won the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship in 2023 and followed it up with a Division Two title in 2024.

After surviving relegation in 2024, the Lilywhites will be hoping for a more comfortable championship campaign in 2025. Reflecting on the last few seasons, Doherty paid tribute to the work being done at underage level.

"I think that serious work is being done at underage level," said Doherty.

"Last year, we had great success from under-12s all the way up to minors, and then the seniors won Division Two. I think it comes from the underage system and investing in what is there."

A Tough Start to the New Season

The Kildare women got their season underway with a narrow defeat to Waterford last weekend as they began life in Division Two.

It does not get any easier in the coming weeks, with a win over Kerry on Sunday followed by Kerry. For Doherty, if Kildare want to show how far they have come, they need to prove it against the best.

"We used the first game to see where we are at. Waterford are a strong side—they played well, and their experience probably stood to them.

"You get more spectators watching because the standard is higher, and the games are good to watch.

"Dublin have a few All-Irelands in their back pocket, and so do Kerry. It will set a benchmark for where we are at."

Learning from Other Counties

If Kildare are looking for inspiration about what a positive Division Two campaign can do, they do not have to look far.

Kerry and Armagh have demonstrated how winning Division Two can be a stepping stone to greater success—Kerry ended their long wait for an All-Ireland title last year.

Meanwhile, Leinster rivals Meath shocked everyone in 2021 when they won a senior All-Ireland just a year after winning the intermediate title.

"Meath had their great run when they won their intermediate and senior All-Irelands. Same with Armagh—they did really well last year.

"Division One is the standard you want to play at. You are competing at the highest level, against girls with incredible talent."

underage system as a reason for the county's success in recent years.

Doherty has been part of the Kildare side who were All-Ireland intermediate champions in 2023, and won Division Two in 2024.

After surviving relegation in 2024, the Lillywhites will be hoping for a more comfortable championship in 2025. Reflecting on the last few seasons, Doherty paid tribute to the work being done at underage level.

"I think that serious work is being done at underage", said Doherty.

"Last year we had great success from under 12s at every age all the way up to minors, and then the seniors won Division Two. I think it comes from the underage and investing in what is there."

The Kildare women got their season underway with a narrow defeat to Waterford last weekend, as they began life in Division Two.

It does not get any easier in the coming weeks, with games against Dublin and Kerry coming up. For Doherty, if Kildare want to show how far they have come, they have to prove it against the best.

"We were using the first game to see where we are at. Waterford are a strong side they played well, the experience probably stood to them.

"You get more spectators watching it because the standard is higher, the games are good to watch.

"Dublin have a few All-Ireland's in their back pocket, and so do Kerry. It will set a benchmark of where we are at."

If Kildare are looking for inspiration of what a positive Division Two campaign can do, they do not have to look far.

Kerry and Armagh have shown the strides they have made after winning Division Two, with Kerry ending their long wait for an All-Ireland title last year.

While Leinster rivals Meath shocked everyone in 2021 when they won a senior All-Ireland, just after winning the intermediate title.

"Meath had their great run when they won their intermediate and senior All-Ireland's, same with Armagh they done really well last year.

"Division One, it is the standard you want to play. You are playing at the highest standard, you are playing with girls with incredible talent."